(Photo Courtesy: Deanbulldogs.com)
On a wet, rainy Saturday afternoon, the Dean Football Bulldogs fall to Anna Maria 52-20 in their first Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) game of the year. Dean falls to 1-6 while Anna Maria improves to 3-4 on the season.
Despite the nasty field conditions, the Amcats offensive looked unbothered right away. Running back Jamal Cariglia found open space early, rushing for sixteen yards off only three plays.
Amcats Quarterback Ryan Russell opened the scoring with a 48-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Deandre Wallace for a 7-0 lead including the extra point.
In the first quarter, Dean was charged with two safeties off mishandled punts costing the Bulldogs four points. Offensively, converting first downs in the beginning also marked a challenge in Dean’s opening drives.
After being shut out in the first quarter, the Bulldogs finally got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter. Dean QB Isaac Sisneros connected for 49 yards to Jalen Smith, cutting the deficit to 18-7 with the PAT.
In the second half, kickoff returns were stellar for the Bulldogs, resulting in good starting field position to begin with a few times for Dean.
The Bulldogs managed to gain some lost ground but still entered halftime down twenty-five.
The dominant Amcat offense continued to thrive in the second half. Anna Maria continued to locate the end zone well with their strong passing and rushing performances.
Dean was unable to defend against the ongoing pressure and dropped their homecoming game 52-20.
After the game, tight end Dempsey Brady shared positive and negative takeaways from the loss. “We feel like we moved the ball pretty well for the conditions we were in.”
“Defensively, I believe it’s not as much gameplan issues and more just getting back to basics, making routine tackles, knowing your assignment, executing your assignment.”
Dean’s next game will be on the road against Vermont State University on Saturday, October 28th, at 4:00 pm.